Newsletter

President must not tweak

There has been and still is much debate regarding the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. Whether you think it is the greatest law ever written or the worst law imposed upon America, the fact remains that it is a law. One definition of law is that it is a “binding or enforceable rule.” We have laws for a reason; laws spell out something that is required; and there are consequences for breaking a law.

It seems, then, that our president feels he is above the law or is somehow not subject to the same law that regular, everyday Americans are subject to. Despite the fact that the ACA was a law the president wanted passed, it is astonishing to see that he now wants to tweak it to fit his and/or his party’s needs.

This sets a bad precedent. What is the point of legislation if the chief executive in power can simply change laws whenever he feels like it? Why is there not a greater outrage over this blatant disregard for law? Where are the protests? Where are the journalists, pundits and citizens who will stand up and say “No, Mr. President, you can’t do that. The law is the law”?

A government for the people needs to set a higher example. It should be an entity we look up to and respect. Sadly, this is not the current view of our government nor the administration. If an elected official breaks the law, he must be held accountable. He must be held to the same standard that any citizen would be held to.

Imagine this situation: Since the president wants to delay implementing the employer mandate, suppose then that a citizen wants to delay the individual mandate. If the Internal Revenue Service attempts to levy a fine against him, suppose he simply delays the effective date of that fine.

If our elected leaders are not held to the letter of the law, how can they expect us to abide without question?